RNC Backs Down On Threats Over T-Shirts With Its Logo

from the an-elephant-never-forgets,-but-sometimes-it-misuses-trademark-law dept

Paul Alan Levy writes in to let us know that following widespread press coverage of his challenge to the Republican National Committee to back down from suing CafePress over t-shirts that use the term "GOP" or show the RNC's elephant logo, that the RNC has in fact agreed to back down. It won't be suing CafePress or users, and will only ask that those who just show the logo or the term apply for a free license (though, it's unclear what happens if that license request is turned down). However, in following this story, Levy discovered that the RNC had also been threatening some individual sellers, especially on t-shirts that are critical of the RNC. Levy and Public Citizen have called on the RNC to withdraw the threatening letters, and warns the RNC that it may sue for declaratory relief (basically get a judge to say the t-shirts are perfectly legal) if the RNC does not withdraw the letters.

"Levy and Public Citizen have called on the RNC to withdraw the threatening letters, and warns the RNC that it may sue for declaratory relief (basically get a judge to say the t-shirts are perfectly legal) if the RNC does not withdraw the letters."

Re: Re:

If they are using the logo to show their dislike for a product, using "GOP" instead of "RNC" or with the circle-slash, doesn't that qualify as satire and fall under fair use? This is the same reason Walmart can't sue the WalmartSucks people.

Logos?! Copyrights?

RNC backs down

Uh, any chance that the RNC isn't familiar with the First Amendment? Wouldn't printed material like t-shirts be covered? One of the major whole points of this country is to protect the expression of unpopular ideas. Guess the Republicans are a little unclear on the concept except when it involves them trashing someone they don't like (Hilary comes to mind. No boundaries there that I could see).

Trademarks

A major problem exists. (nothing to do with RNC) When a licence (yes it is spelled correctly) is issued, it also becomes a licence to steal. Buyers can pay anywhere up to three times for a logo labeled item. The market is inaccessible to many and that is unfair. Logo protection should have time limits like patents. Not everyone is rich.